"I'm sure he won't come back [any time soon]," he told reporters. "There are many factors pointing to that conclusion."

Sonthi, also the Army commander-in-chief, added that the CNS had no concerns about whether Thaksin would return to the Kingdom.

The general was speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont in the morning.

His remarks came amid speculation that the former Thai Rak Thai Party leader would come back soon as a witness in the election-fraud case against the party being tried by the Constitution Tribunal.

Three-and-a-half months after Sonthi led a group of generals in a coup against Thaksin's government, the CNS has failed to keep under control movements by subversive groups believed to have links with the ousted premier.

Sonthi said yesterday the military was keeping a close watch on "important figures" in all provinces as part of an attempt to prevent further violence over the next two months.